Gmail Update and New Features:
Over the summer, Google released an update to Gmail that includes a new user interface and features. New features include a “snooze” button, a sidebar to view your Google Calendar, Keep, and Tasks within Gmail, the ability to work offline, and Smart Replies. This KB article lists all of the new features and instructions on how to use them. You can review this KB article to see what the update looks like compared to classic Gmail.
On Saturday, Aug. 18, we will enable the new version of Gmail for all employees and students. At that time, you will have the choice to switch over to the new version. To do this, go to your settings and select “Try the new Natomas Unified mail.”
On Sept. 18, Google will automatically switch everyone over to the new user interface with the option to revert back to classic Gmail from your Gmail settings. On Oct. 16, you will no longer have the choice to switch back to classic Gmail.
Google Classroom Update:
On Aug. 9, Google released an update to their learning management system Google Classroom. This update included a number of useful additions such as a built-in grading tool that gives teachers the ability to create a comment bank to quickly add comments to student work. There is also a new “Classwork” page where teachers can organize assignments and group them into modules and units. One teacher shared how she’s using the new Classroom in this EdTech blog post. You can also read Google’s blog post about it here. More feature releases are on the way. Spoiler: Soon, users will also be able to assign quizzes in a locked screen mode on Chromebooks!
You may have noticed that the “About” tab is gone. You can now find all of your class information under settings. Soon, users will be able to add class material to the Classwork page. Until then, class material can be posted on the classroom Stream as an announcement or as an ungraded assignment under Classwork.
If you created a class prior to Aug 9th, you might not see the “Classwork” tab. Google will be adding a way to enable it on these classes in the near future. Until then, these classes remain virtually the same. You will add assignments from the “Stream” tab just like before, and you can access the “About” tab and add class material from your settings. Students will find class material in the “About” link on their page.
This Google help article explains all the updates. You can also find video tutorials on Google Classroom basics and more at Google’s new Teacher Training Center.
